NATO has welcomed three new members — Georgia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Moldova — expanding the alliance to 35 nations and establishing the most significant enlargement since 2004.
Strategic Impact
- 35 total NATO members (up from 32)
- Combined defense budget: $1.3 trillion
- All members now meeting 2% GDP spending target
- New Eastern European defense corridor established
Russia condemned the expansion as provocative, while NATO Secretary General emphasized that every nation has the sovereign right to choose its alliances. The expansion fills critical geographic gaps in NATO's eastern flank.
